 | The Detonator, as I stated earlier is powered by compressed air. The amount of air is determined by the weight of each rider. Then the compressed air is dumped through 16 inch valves. These sit on top of 4 piston tubes. The compressed air drives the pistons down sending the cars in the opposite direction, in this case up. The air pressure that sent the cars up also acts as a cushion for the falling cars. The cars bounce back up under the remaining air pressure and continue doing this until all the air pressure is dissipated. This is sort of like a balloon with a hole punched in it. The compressed (helium) air is sent out one way while it propels the balloon in the opposite direction. Of course when the balloon runs out of air it falls to the ground. The same is true with the detonator. |